Text: Defense Statement on Military Contacts with China
(DoD says internal memo "misinterpreted" Rumsfeld's position)

The Department of Defense issued a short statement May 2 saying that an earlier internal DoD memo calling for suspension of Defense contacts and programs with China "misinterpreted" Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's position. The internal memo had been obtained by reporters.

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

STATEMENT REGARDING MILITARY CONTACTS WITH CHINA

An internal Department of Defense staff memorandum dated April 30 misinterpreted the position of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld regarding military-to-military contacts with the People's Republic of China. The secretary's guidance requires that all DoD programs, contacts and activities with the People's Republic of China will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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